Apparatus for developing photographic negatives



`une 16, '1931. J. RIGGLE 1,810,790

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES Filed May 9j 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 L. J. RIGGLE June 16, 1931.

APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPINGl PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES 2 Sheetshet 2 Filed May 9. 1928 a '5. /3 C u A @www @twin/et Patented June 16, 1931 y UNITED ESTATES PATENT OFFICE LEO JAMES RIGGLE, OF MONROE, WISCONSIN APPARATUS FOB DEVELOPING PHOTOGBAPHIC NEGATIVES Application filed May 9, 1928.

developing photographic emulsions such as professional cut-films, film pack films, ,and glass photographic plates.

A further ob] ect of the invention is toprovide an improved apparatus for developing photographic negatives of various descriptions in a manner for `producing negatives which will be free of finger marks .and scratches and thus materially reducing the amount of retonching required upon the pictures printed from the negatives.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Y vide apparatus of this character wherein the plates or films after being placed in the container are allowed to remain therein without further'handling thru either of the developing, fixing and washing processes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developing tank of novel construction whereby the plates or films may be supported in the tank out of contacting engagement with either end of the tank so as to allow for ready and proper circulation of water about the plates or films during the washing operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of this char- 33 acter embodying an arrangement whereby vample space is provided between the plates or films to allow ready circulation of liquids therebetween during the developing, mixing and washing processes.

40 A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel type of holderadapted to receive two films in a manner.

so as to allow for ready circulation of liquid along each face of the film. so as to prevent 45 the films from sticking to the holders and to one another.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken J in connection with the accompanying draw- Serial No. 276,364.

ings, forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:

Figure l is an end'view ofthereceiving tank and showing the manner in which the apparatus maybe used to perform the wash- 55 lng process.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section -thru the tank showing the manner in which the holders are fitted in the tank.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the 60 film holders or carriers.

Figure 4 is a vertical section thru the tank taken at a right angle from that shownin Figure 2 and showing the manner in which r films and photographic plates may be de- 6" veloped in the tank. Y

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the tank showing the cover structure removed and showing one of the film holders in section.

F igure' is a vertical section thru the tank 7 and showing the manner in which the tank is closed at its upper and lower ends during the developing and fixing processes.`

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the tank and showing the cover structure in position for sealing the upper end of the tank.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts thrnout the several l views, the letter A designates the receiving-S" tank, the closure or cover structure for the tank A, C the film holders or carriers for positioning in the tank A, and D flexible conductor means for detachable connection with the tank A for admitting water to the tank E during the washing processes. In the y example illustrated in Figure V1, the apparatus has been -shown placed in a sink S having the usual drain R, with the tubing of the conductor D connected with the spigot E. V9(

The tank A and which may be formed of hard moulded rubber, or any other suitable V material not effected by the developing solutions,is of rectangular shape in plan 4and H of greater height than length, providing straight parallel spaced apart side, walls 5 and 6, end walls 7, and a fiat bottom 8. The upper end of each of the tank walls 5, 6 and 7 is cut away at its inner iside for-a suitable dish tance downwardly along the walls providing an enlarged upper end portion tor the tanlr and forming a continuous internal shoulder lO. Provided inthe inner wall ot each of the side iva 5 and (i is a series of vertically extending grooves ll ot tapering formation a.; clearly shown in Figure 5, and which :loves extend 'l' om the shoulder 10 to a point in spaced relation above the bot-- toni wall S that each groove at its lower end provides a se: i 12 spaced above the up )er surface of the bottom Wall. These grooves 11 are arranged in pairs aligning transversely of the tank and are oit a depth substantially equal to on *halt the tl'iichness of the shoulder 10, Provided in one oit' the side Walls of the tank, and in the erzample shoivn in the lower end ot the side wall 6, is a tapering opening 13, and. v/oich opening as ivill be observed from Figures 2 and 4l; is arranged at the vertical center o'lf the side wall 6 and beloiv the seat l2 formed at the lover end ot the grooves 11. llori'ned in the upper reduced portions or" each oi" the end. Walls au elongated inclined cam slot and which slots as will be obscured in Figure 2 arranged substantially midway between the side vWalls ot the tanh and are slightly inn clined uiniardly from the Wall t3 toward the Wall 5. These inclined slots lilaside trom providing drain openings spaced belowv upper end et the tank also cooperate with the closure means B in a manner to be snbsequently explained.

The cover stiucture or closure B tor the upper end of the tank A includes a dat rec` tangular shaped cover plate which may be formed oi: suitable mi erial and oit a dimension in outline to freely and slidably lit in the enlarged upper end portion 9 oil the tank. This cover plate 15 is provide@ With a circular shaped opening 1o which is arranged at a location midway the ends of the plate and oilfset slightly to one side. oi1 the longitudinal center ofi the plate as clearly illustrated in Figure 7. This openingl l' is intended to receive a corhr or other suitable closure plug 1T which is o'l a length substan tially greater thanv the, thickness ol. the plate as shovfn in Figure 6, A yieldable rectangular shaped gasket 'i8 is intended to rest upon the sl'ioul-cier 10 and he engaged by the marginal edges ot' the plate 15 :torilorining a. leak prooi' seal for the cover and also excluding light from entering the tank at the marginal portions ot the cover plate. This gasket- 18 is oit a` Width substantially equal to the width of the shoulder' 10 ai l thus it Will be seen that the gasket projecLIJ over the upper ends of the grooves 11 and terms stops or abutments at the upper end or cach groove. Retaining means is provided .tor securing' the cover plate 15 in position, and

this means consists ot' a` cylindrical retainlng rod 2O which of equal diameter 'throughout and oft a diameter substantially equal to the height of the slot 11i. This cylindrical retaining slot is intended to be positioned With its end portions arranged in the slots 14 at the higher ends of the slots so that upon movement of the rods toward the side Wall G the rod will engage the upper ilat surface ot the cover plate 15 and torce the same downwardly for compressing the gashet 1S. Thus it will be seen that the rod and inclined slots provide means for retaining the cover plate in position and also acting upon the plate in a manner to compressI the gasket 18 into leak prooi1 engagement upon the shoulder 10. The. rod 2O is of a length slightly greater than the length ot' the tank so that the ends of the rod project slightly past the end walls 7 and provide finger grips to allow for ready and easy movement of the rod 'in the slots 14. lith the opening 16 in the cover plate 15 arranged to one side ot' the longitudinal center of the plate and the cam slots 14 inclined as shown, it will be seen that When the retaining rod 2O is in engagement with the plate 15 as in Figure 6 that the rod moves to a position beyond the opening 16 so as to not interfere with ready placing and removing of the plug l?. lt will further be noted in Figure 6 that by so having the plug 17 project above the upper surface of the cover plate that the same Will act to prevent movement of the retaining rod longitudinally in the cam slot and out of holdingY engagement with the cover plate.

Referring noiv to the holder or carrier C, and one of Which may be provided for each set of grooves 11, these carriers are in the form oil open rectangular shaped 'frames forming side rails 21, a top rail 22, and a. bottom rail These open 'trames are ot a Width slightly less than the distance between the confronting bases of the grooves 11 so as to prevent possible bindiini` oi' the :trames when position in the tank, and ot a height less than tl e height of the grooves. lhe side and bottom rails 21. and 2S respectively are substantally ilat altho it is preferred that the side rails 21 taper slightly toward their loiver ends, as clearly shown in Figure l so as to permit ol. ready and easy placing of the carriers in to the upper ends of the grooves 11. Provided the center oi the bottom rail 2?, and projecting Yfrom each side thereoiE a spacer block or enlargement 2li which :iets tor re taining the lower edges ci the films .spaced from the bottom rail as shown in Figure 5. Provided at each side tace olf the top rail 22 are substantially l.shaped flanges Q5 providing retaining grooves or ch `iels 26 intended to receive one end edge the lilms when positioned one at each side oi" the carrier.

The central portions ot the retaining tlangfes are cut away at each side ot the frame a; atI 27 so as to form Finger gripping portions to allow for read;v placing and removing ot the closely related carriers i'rom the grooves in the tank. By observing Figure it will be seen how these recessed portions 27 will allow ample room between adjacent upper ends or head portions of the carriers to allow the thumb and forefinger to Vbe inserted between adjacent carriers for placing or removing the carriers from the frame. These retaining flanges also providesuflicient thickness to the upper ends of the carriers whereby the carriers may be stood on end when placing or removing the films from the carrier and thus prevent possible contact Yof the films with an object liable to scratch `the films. The side rails 21 are of a thickness less than the width of the grooves 11, and the retaining flanges 25 terminate short of the outer edges of the side rails and preferably ata location in alignment with the inner edges ofthe side rails as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Each carrier is intended to serve as a support for two negatives which may either of the film pack type or professional cut-films, and these films are intended to be placed one at each side of the carrier frame with one end edge engaging in the retaining channels 2G.

block 24. These clips 28 are of U-shape in format-ion and are preferably provided with rounded projections atthe free ends of their arms so that the clamps have but very little Contact with the films.

inserted in t-he grooves of the tank A, the spacer block 24 acts to retain the lowerends of the films out rof contact with the bottom rail 23 so as to allow for ready circulation of liquid between the films. The side edges of the films engage in thegrooves 11 and thus the films of one carrier areheld against curling and engaging the confronting film carried by the adjacent carrier. When the carriers are placed in the grooves 11 and come to rest on the seats 12 it will be seen that the films will be held in an elevated position above the bott-om tank wall 8.V It will also be apparent that when the carriers are in position and *resting on the seats 1 2 that the upper ends of the carriers are spaced well below the shoulder 10 so that open chambers Will be formed both above and below the films or plates being developed. 1

At Y in Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen how two photographic plates may be positioned in the grooves 11 that their lower edges rest upon the seat 12.

A fiat, rectangular shaped light excluding f plate 30 is intended to be placed in the upper open end of the tank and rests upon the upper ends of the carriers C for preventing direct light rays entering thru the opening 16 from striking the plates or films during certain steps in the developingprocess. It is not al- Vhen two films are f thus applied to the carriers andthe carriers together essential that the plate be placed across the upper ends of the carriers, but this plate will be found to be extremely helpful when developing extremely fast negative materials and also color sensitive or panehromaticfilms and plates. This plate 30 is of a dimension slightly less than the internal dimen sions of the tank below the shoulder 10.

The means D of the apparatus for washing the plates or films in the tank A preferably consists of a suitable length of flexible tubing 32 one end of which maybe connected with the spout of the spigot E. Adapted forr detachable connection with the opposite end of the tubing 32 isatubular nozzle 34 embodying ar sleeve portion 35 for connection with the tubing and a conical head portion 36 for yfitting in the tapering opening 13 provided in the lower end of the tank side wall 6 below the bottoms of the grooves `11. This nozzle may be formed of any suitable material and is preferably formed of hard rubber or a suitable composition. A cork or suitable closure plug 38 as shown in Figure 6 is provided for closing the opening 13 during the developing and fixing processes.

In using the improved apparatus for de-.

veloping either films or photographic plates, the cork 38 is placed inthe lower portion of the tank for scaling the opening 13 and a suitable quantity of developing Vsolution placed in the tank. The tank lof developing solution may then be carried intol the photographic dark room and if films are to be developed they films are secured to the carriers C and the carriers inserted in the grooves 11. If photographic plates are to be developed, two of the plates are placed back to back in each groove so that the developing solution may act upon the sensitized faces of the plates. The protecting plate 30 may then be placed in the tank over the film carriers or plates as the case may be and then the gasket 18 and cover plate 15 placed in position and secured by the retaining rod 20. The cork 17 may then be inserted into the opening 16 for excluding light from the tankand also acting to retain the rod QOagainst upward movement in the inclined guide slot 14. The tank and films or plates contained therein may then be carried into the light and the films or plates allowed to develop for the proper length of" time. During the developingr process the operator may shake the tank from' time to time or even invert the tank to insure even development of the pictures. After ther negatives have been in the developing solution for the proper lengt-h of time the tank may be placed inv a sink as shown and the plug 38 removed for allowing the developer to drain from the tank. The head of the nozzle 34 may thenbe inserted into the opening 13 and after removing the plug 17' from the cover plate 1,5 the spigot E may be turned on for washing the negatives forV a auv kil

very s iort period. During this first washii'ig operation it may be lfound` desirable to place an object over the top ot the tank to prrvent light rays from passing dirccthv thru the opening i6. The water entering` the lower cnil of the tank thru the nozzle Ilfl will pans upwardly between the Vlilms or plates as shown by the arrows in Figure 2 and out thru the opening 1G and allowed to drain over the sides el the tank thru the elongated guide slots il/l. After a short period of washing` the nozzile 311- may be removed and the water allowed to drain from the tank and then the plug 3S again insert-cd in the opening 13. The tank may then be lilled thru the opening` 16 with a lining solution and the plug 17 again inserted tor closing the opening 16. The fixing solution is allowed 'to remain in the tank for a se time for clearing and hardening the emulsion on the films or plates and after which the plugs 17 and are again removed for allowing the lining' solution to drain troni the tank. The nozzle 84 may again be placed in 'the opening l?) and water again allowed to enter the tank and pass upwz rdly thru the iihns or pl: tor thorough Washingv olf the lining solu l.on 'from the plates or Afilms and :i'li'tcr which the cover B may be removed and the lilnis or plates removed `from the tank and prepared 'for drying. As the negatives are being washed it will be seen that the water par?. s upwardly thru the tank and is directed to the sides of the plate 30 and passes above the plates thru the grooves 11.

As will be apparent, the films or plates altcr once pla-red in the tank need not be handled again thru either of the developing, fixing or Washing processes and thus there is little likelihood oit the negatives lecoming scratched or linger marred.

iflroin the foregoingdescription it will. be apparent that a novel and improv-ed apparatus of this character has been provided which will be found especially Well adapted ior use by professional. and advanced ainateur photographers in developing profession cut-films and glass plates, and which apparatus also alloros means i'or use by aina.- teur photographers in successfully developing film. pack negatives.

Changes in detail may be inade to the iorni ot invention herein shown and deribed7 without departing from the spirit ol1 the invention er the scope oi the following claims.

l claim:

l. [n apparatus for developing photoaphie negatives, the combination of a tank i ving an opening at its lower end prov'ded with aremovable closure plug and having an internal shoulder provided adjacent the upper end of the tank, a cover plate having` a. ila-t upper side, removably itting in the upper end of the tank above saidv shoulder and having an opening provided willi a rcmovable closure plug, and semufing means tor the cover plate embodying a cylindriczl retainiiuiI rod having its ends movable `.Vith a cani action in the end Walls oi the tank and laterally across the cover plate into engagement with the upper fiat ilace o'l the cover plate at one side of the opening provided therein.

2. lu apparatus for developing photographie negatives, the combination oi a rectaugular shaped tank having an opening at its lower end lnovided with a ren'iovahle closure plug and having an internal shoulder provided adjacent its ripper end, said tank also having provided in the end Walls 'thereoi1 above said shoulder elongated inclined slots, a yielilable gasket resting upon said shoulder, a iiat cover plate resting at its marginal. portions on said gasket and having an opening provided with a removable cle-sure plug and al cylindrical retaining rod having its ends citeiuling thru said iuclincd slots and beyond the end walls `l'oz' cn- ,.r `ement with the upper lace olf the cover plate whereby the gasket will be compressed thru lateral movement of the rod.

il. ln apparatus for developing photographic negatives, the combination oit a rei'- tangula shaped tank having an .internal shoulder provided adjacent its upper end and having an opening at its lower end provided with a removable closure plug, said tank having provided in the end 'alls thereoit and above said shoulder, elongated inclined. slots, a yieldable gasket for seating' on said shoulder, a flat cover plate 'for engaging the gasket with the plane of its 'flat upper Jface intersectingr the inclined slots and provided With an opening, a cylindrical r ing rod. having the ends thereof movalne in said slots and having the intermediate portion thereof' engageable with the upper 'face o'l the cover plate at one side ol the opening` provided therein, and a removable closure plug fitting in lthe opening in the cover plate and projecting upwardly therefrom at one side of the retaining rod.

4. In apparatus for developing photographic negatives, the combination of a rectangular shaped tank being internally enlarged adjacent its upper end to provide au internal shoulder and having an openingr at its lower end provided with a removable c.osure plug, said tank also being provided at the inner 'faces oi its plain side Walls with a series of vertically extending tapered grooves extending from said shoulder to a location above the opening at the lower end ol.' the tank, said grooves serving to receive negatives arranged vertically in the tank, and closure means for the upper end oi the tank including a cover plate resting upon said shoulder and having an opening provided With a removable closure plug.

V5. In apparatus for developing photographic negatives, the combination of a tank having vertically extending grooves provided at the inner sides of its side walls and 5 being enlarged above the grooves providing an internal shoulder, said grooves serving to support a series of film holders vertically in the tank, a yieldable' gasket seating on said Shoulder and extending over the upper ends oi' the grooves a flat light excluding plate Y for resting upon the upper ends of the holders and heilig of less thickness than said gasket, and closure means forl the upper end of the tank including a flat cover late fitting into the enlarged upper end of tllie tank and resting upon said gasket.

LEO JAMES RIGGLE. 

